Pale Horse

What's your biggest hangup? Because it was MJ? Would you have the same stance as if he got caught smoking tobacco or dipping? What about underage drinking? Is this just about being caught or because the cops were involved? Would a charge of reckless driving merit the same reaction? As @fred8033 mentioned above, marijuana is quickly gaining "acceptance". Yes, it's still illegal, especially for minor's, but let's not crucify the kid based on reefer madness.

If there's only 1 Lone Scout in your entire Council, it's probably reasonable to to assume that Packs are available for you to join. From https://www.scouting.org/commissioners/lone-scout/: "He applies for membership as an individual Lone Scout only if he cannot conveniently join a Cub Scout pack or Boy Scout troop". Lone Scouts isn't really designed as a "we just want to do it by ourselves" option. Not saying you are, but if you gave that impression in your discussion/emails with the Council, they know off the bat that it's not going to work.

I hate when anybody feels they don't need training and "already know everything." More training never hurt anyone. I see it all over the place.."I was an Eagle, so know how the program runs", "I was in the military, so know how to camp"... Leader training is meant to level-set and get people on the same page. You may know "you" did things or how "your Troop" did things, but maybe that's not really the best or ideal way. Even if it is, consider this an opportunity to share that knowledge and meet other leaders who may not have as much knowledge in a particular subject. Learning is a life-long obligation.

Same reason folks refer to new Scouters (in their estimation anyone less than 20+ years of experience) as a group who's ruining the patrol method. The same reason they refer to women scouters as a group who want to turn Scouting into Family Camp. I guess it's a combination of ease of convenience and small-mindedness.

Novel concept. If I'm understanding this correctly, each Scout is an individual and should be treated as such? I like it!

I didn't attend, but I've seen many videos of this year's event with Arrowmen in regalia. https://www.faceclips.net/video/y-2lWd5mUY8/top-10-grass.html From my understanding, OA will continue to use regalia, just not for audiences external to OA.

By firing/hiring an SM that agrees with their approach to advancement.

The answer varies across the scale. You have some units where the CO's word is law, and you have others where the CO is either virtually non-existent or gives SM complete reign in delivering program as he/she sees fit. Our case is the latter. Our CO is a CO in paperwork only.

Your views on spousal selection criteria are at best outdated and at worst extremely sexist.

Nothing stopping said parents from making that plan and putting it into action.

Seems it's always been that case when a Scout has a particular circumstance that the current leaders aren't "capable" of handling. Johnny has behavioral issues - I've seen lots of suggestions that a parent has to attend next campout or Johnny can't attend. Timmy has mental disabilities that only a parent or specially trained individuals can handle. Should troops also cancel high adventure outings if a physically disabled Scout joins? I assume not every outing would preclude their participation, but must we ensure they can attend all outings? Maybe we just accept that not all Scouts will be able to attend every event, for various reasons...financial, physical limitations, religious or family conflicts, parents don't want to register to help their daughter attend...

And the quickest way to make the rest of the Troop/Pack resentful is to cancel a trip because Suzie's mom doesn't want to go camping, so we can't go either.

True, but what about the next step in getting them all registered? Who's paying.

My guess is that Cyndi @ Member Care Contact Center (if that's even her real name) isn't quite at the level of the execs (lawyers?) at National writing the policy. Probably a midling call-center attendee who has to answer 1000s of calls/emails ever day about hundreds of different items. Sure it'd be nice if they were all on the same page, but I bet if you resubmit the question 10 times, I'm not sure you'd get a consensus either way.

For us, we stress that Cub Scouting is not a drop and run event. In addition to the required Lion & Tiger adult partners, we strongly encourage families to attend all events. Wolves and Bears especially, and gradually tapering off through the Webelos years. Besides, I have so much fun as an adult leader, why would I not want other parents to share in the joy and fun of seeing their sons (and now daughters) learn and grow? Just being present does not necessarily make anyone a helicopter parent. Nor does it take away from the Scouts individual accomplishments.

72 hours across all events for the year? Yeah right, let's break that down at the Cub Scout level. 10 Pack meetings @ 1.5 hour each (including setup and break down) = 15 hours. Down to 57 hours left. ~14 ordinary Den meetings @ 1.5 hours = 21 hours. Down to 36 hours. ~8 outdoor adventure den meetings (hike, field trip, etc.) @ 2 hours = 16. 20 hours left. 3 community service events @ 2 hours = 6 hours. Down to 14. 3 Popcorn Show & Sells (oops better have 2 registered leaders at ALL scouting events 🙄) @ 2 hours = 6. Down to 8 hours. Trip to the corn maze with the pack for 4 hours. Just 4 hours remaining. These are just some things off the top of my head, but I think we get the picture. These are all events that "ordinary" parents attend, not leaders. I haven't even got to Day camp or heaven forbid they want to come on a family camping overnighter. It's pretty obvious the rule is written for singular activities exceeding 72 hours. There's no way around it, if you did it else-wise every single parent would need to be registered.

Must have...new adult patrol patch...where can I get?

We do a lot outside of Scouts too and go camping probably half a dozen times a year as a family. So far, his favorite has been "stealth" camping along the trail during a sub-freezing winter whiteout. He and I are looking to do a 3 day canoe trip as our "end of summer" trip before school starts back up. For an 8 year old, I hope it's memorable and keeps him as occupied as his iPad does.

We always attend our local council Cub Scout camp, but also enjoy attending other area's camps. Usually just the two of us and gives me a chance to get away from being "everybody's leader" and focus on being "just his dad." I figure it's never too early to start looking for next year's adventure, so come looking for advice. Yes, I know it's subjective, but... Where is the "best" Webelos camp? Looking for anywhere East of the Mississippi and North of Georgia.

So what did SM have to say in his email?

I can't help but laugh. When has national ever decided less rules is better?

How would they not permit them? Say they have to stay identified as Boys? Can't imagine that happening. Make them start over as Scout and re-earn rank? Goes against the idea that once earned, you can't revoke rank. Another thought, what if down the road BSA decides to allow atheists and now a boy decides to "come out" as an atheist and admits to always being one. Would everyone feel the same way that BSA shouldn't allow that, because he got a head start on advancement that other atheists didn't? @NJCubScouter I think it goes to your third point in that in a perfect world it wouldn't matter who the first X Eagle scout is. If they earned it, they're better for it, whether their girl, boy, trans, whatever.

Who was sued for the first pregnant Venturer?

Forgive me, but what recent policy changes would lead to the potential for increased lawsuits?

Yep, and we can kick them out if they don't recite it or are admitted communists!